The catheter was a bad idea. It caused mother great discomfort and we didn't sleep at all during the 36 hours it was inserted. Finally, with a little help and encouragement from Laura, I realized that it went totally contrary to mother's wishes. Mother clearly did not want any medical intervention, nothing prodding and probing, no one testing and cutting away at her. Well the catheter was pretty invasive and for what, to provide me some convenience?   Since it has come out mother has had much restful sleep and except for a struggle with severe constipation which we resolved yesterday she has been very comfortable indeed.    

This morning we had a bittersweet "Auf wiedersehen" when Laura left to take the ferry back to Sidney. The ferry will stop running this week and Laura will not be able use it to come and visit until March. So we all knew it was their last time together in this life. Mother even said so to Laura as they sat beside each other on the edge of the bed.   As usual mother was "tapfer" and did not shed a tear while Laura and I gushed with joy for the love of it all. I am so fortunate that My Love loves to cry as much as I do. Rob was again kind enough to take Laura to the ferry and was part of the sharing in a special way.

On a beam of light,  
Thomas